Aquino ‘closer’ to anointing 2016 presidential bet

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS

President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday said he is “closer” to making his decision on whom to endorse for president in the 2016 elections.

Speaking to reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Aquino was asked about his “anointed one” in 2016 following his meeting with Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Wednesday night.

READ: Aquino hosts make-or-break dinner meeting

“The best that I can say at this point, in this minute, is I am closer to that point,” Aquino said.

The president said his conversation with the three politicians was a good sign, adding that the three agreed to continue the reforms the Aquino administration started.

Poe, in a text message, said the meeting started at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and ended past 1 a.m. Thursday.

READ: Poe on Palace meet: No bet yet for 2016

She said the four of have them agreed that the country could only move forward with the “right leadership” but have not agreed on who would be the administration’s standard bearer in 2016.

Asked when he would decide on his anointed one, the President said he would have wanted it during his meeting with the three officials but said he needed to listen to members of the Liberal Party and other sectors.

“Kung ako lang ang masusunod sana kahapon e (If it were solely up to me, I would have made the decision yesterday),” he said. IDL